Coffee and Tea Pod

ABSTRACT

A container for holding ground coffee or tealeaves. The container may include a body and a lip extending from the body. The lip may include a top substantially flat surface and a width of no more than about 2.6 millimeters (about 0.1 inch).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a container for brewingmaterial and more particularly relates to a pod for use in the automaticbrewing of coffee, tea, and other beverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of automatic coffee and tea dispensers are known.Generally described, these dispensers hold a measure of ground coffee,tealeaves, or other type of brewable material in a container of somesort. Hot water generally is added to the material so as to brew thebeverage. The material is generally held in some sort of disposablecontainer that must be opened or penetrated so as to allow the hot waterto pass therethrough.

One drawback with these known brewing devices, however, is that theelements of the device that come into contact with the brewing materialgenerally must be cleaned. Further, the container for the material mustbe inserted and aligned in the dispenser for each beverage. As a result,the beverage dispenser as a whole may be somewhat slow between beveragecycles as the container is inserted, aligned, removed and/or thedispenser elements are cleaned.

There is a desire therefore, for a device that brews a beverage with aquick cycle time. The device preferably should be relatively inexpensiveand easy to use and produce a high quality beverage. Likewise, thedevice preferably should be adaptable for different types of brewingmaterials and amounts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention thus may provide for a container for holdingground coffee or tealeaves. The container may include a body and a lipextending from the body. The lip may include a top substantially flatsurface and a width of no more than about 2.6 millimeters (about 0.1inch).

The body may include a sidewall and a base. The base may include anumber of apertures therein, a number of support ribs thereon, and anumber of spikes thereon. Each of the spikes may include a basesurrounded by a number of blades.

The lip may include a flange extending from the flat surface. The flangemay extend downwardly at an angle so as to form a pocket with the body.The pocket may include an upper curved radius.

The container also may include a lid positioned within the body. The lidmay include a concave shape and a number of apertures therein. The bodymay include one or more over-cuts therein for the lid.

The container also may include one or more layers of filter paperpositioned within the body. A foil envelope for holding the groundcoffee or the tealeaves also may be used. The container may be made ofpolystyrene, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

A further embodiment of the present invention may provide for acontainer for holding ground coffee or tealeaves. The container mayinclude a base with a number of apertures therein, a circular sidewallextending from the base, and a lip extending from the sidewall. The lipmay include a top substantially flat surface and a flange extendingdownwardly from the flat surface. The flange may include a width of nomore than about 2.6 millimeters (about 0.1 inch). The base may include anumber of spikes thereon.

A further embodiment of the present invention may provide for adispenser for brewing a beverage from a beverage material. The dispensermay include a pod with the beverage material therein, a pod holder, andan injection head. The pod may include a lip extending from a body. Thepod holder may be adapted to receive the pod therein and support the lipof the pod. The injection head may include about 136 to 160 kilograms(about 300 to 350 pounds) of force applied to the lip of the pod. Thedispenser further may include a number of pods.

The pod may include about five (5) to about eight (8) grams of a plasticmaterial. The dispenser further may include a turret assembly such thatthe turret assembly may include the pod holder and an injector assemblysuch that the injector assembly may include the injection head. Theinjector assembly may include a drive mechanism so as to maneuver theinjection head. The drive mechanism may maneuver the injection headabout 6.4 to about 12.7 millimeters (about one-quarter to about one-halfinches) in a substantially vertical direction. The lip may include asubstantially flat top surface and the injection head may include asealing ring sized to accommodate the flat top surface. The injectionhead provides water pressurized at about 1.4 to 14 kilograms per squarecentimeter (about 20 to about 200 pounds per square inch) to the pod.The body may include a number of spikes therein.

A method of the present invention may provide for preparing a beveragefrom a beverage material. The method may include placing the beveragematerial within a container, tamping the beverage material down with alid of the container, positioning the lid into the container, andinjecting the container with water pressurized water at about 1.4 to 14kilograms per square centimeter (about 20 to about 200 pounds per squareinch).

These and other features of the present invention will become apparentupon review of the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage dispensersystem for use with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the beverage dispenser system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a turret system of the beveragedispenser system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an injector assembly of the beveragedispenser system of FIG. 1, with the guide wheels and the return springof the support plate shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the injector assembly of thebeverage dispenser system of FIG. 1, with the idler wheel and the limitswitch shown in a cut away view.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a configuration of brewingmaterial for use with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration ofbrewing material for use with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a pod of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the pod of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the pod of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the pod of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the pod of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the lip of the pod of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of apod of the present invention with a lid thereon

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the interior wall of the podof FIG. 14

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pod ofthe present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the pod of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the pod of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a spike used in the pod of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/071,643, entitled“COFFEE AND TEA DISPENSER”, is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to likeelements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 and 2 show oneapplication of a beverage dispenser system 100. In these figures, a podbrewing apparatus 300 is shown. The pod brewing apparatus 300 mayinclude a heat exchanger 150 positioned within a hot water reservoir 160and in communication with an injection nozzle 200 as is shown. In thisembodiment, the elements of the beverage dispenser system 100 as a wholeare mounted onto a dispenser frame 305. The dispenser frame 305 may bemade out of stainless steel, aluminum, other types of metals, or othertypes of substantially noncorrosive materials.

The injection nozzle 200 may interact with one or more pod cartridges210 so as to produce the desired beverage in a cup 230 or any other typeof receptacle. The pod cartridges 210 may be positioned in the beveragedispenser system 100 within a turret assembly 310. The turret assembly310 may be fixedly attached to the dispenser frame 305. As is shown inFIG. 3, the turret assembly 310 may include a turret plate 320positioned within a turret frame 325. The turret frame 325 may be madeout of stainless steel, aluminum, other types of conventional metals, orsimilar types of substantially noncorrosive materials. The turret plate320 may be substantially circular. The turret plate 320 may include anumber of pod apertures 330. The pod apertures 330 may be sized toaccommodate the pod cartridges 210. The turret plate 320 may spin abouta turret pin 340. A turret motor 350 may drive the turret assembly 310.The turret motor 350 may be a conventional AC motor or a similar type ofdevice. The turret motor 350 may drive the turret assembly 310 at aboutsix (6) to about thirty (30) rpm, with about twenty-five (25) rpmpreferred.

The turret plate 320 also may have a number of detents 360 positionedabout its periphery. The detents 360 may be positioned about each of theturret apertures 330. The detents 360 may cooperate with one or morelimit switches 365 so as to control the rotation of the turret plate320. The rotation of the plate 320 may be stopped when the limit switch360 encounters one of the detents 360.

Positioned adjacent to the turret assembly 310 may be an injectorassembly 400. The injector assembly 310 may be fixedly attached to thedispenser frame 305. The injector assembly 400 also may include aninjector frame 410 extending above the turret assembly 310. The injectorframe 410 may be made out of stainless steel, other types of metals, orsimilar types of substantially noncorrosive materials.

As is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the injector assembly 400 may include theinjection nozzle 200 as described above. The injection nozzle 200 mayhave a narrow tip so as to penetrate the pod cartridge 210 if needed ora wide mouth to accommodate the entire pod cartridge 210. The injectorassembly 400 may include an injector head 420 that cooperates with theinjection nozzle 200. The injector head 420 may be slightly larger indiameter than the pod cartridges 210. The injector head 420 also may bemade out of stainless steel, plastics, or similar types of substantiallynoncorrosive materials. The injector head 420 may include a sealing ring430 positioned about its lower periphery. The sealing ring 430 may bemade out of rubber, silicone, or other types of elastic materials suchthat a substantially water tight seal may be formed between the injectorhead 420 and the pod cartridge 210. The heat exchanger 150 may be incommunication with the injector head 420 so as to provide hot,pressurized water to the pod cartridges 210.

The injector head 420 may be moveable in a substantially vertical planevia a cam system 440. (The terms “vertical” and “horizontal” are used asa frame of reference as opposed to absolute positions. The injector head420 and the other elements described herein may operate in anyorientation.) A cam system drive motor 450 may drive the cam system 440.The drive motor 450 may be a conventional AC motor similar to the turretmotor 350 described above. The drive motor 450 also may be a shaded poleor a DC type motor. The drive motor 450 may rotate an eccentric cam 460via a drive belt system 470; The drive motor 450 and the gear system 470may rotate the eccentric cam 460 at about six (6) to about thirty (30)rpm, with about twenty-five (25) rpm preferred. The eccentric cam 460may be shaped such that its lower position may have a radius of about4.1 to about 4.8 centimeters (about 1.6 to 1.9 inches) while its upperposition may have a radius of about 3.5 to 4.1 centimeters (about 1.3 toabout 1.7 inches).

The eccentric cam 460 may cooperate with an idler wheel 480. The idlerwheel 480 may be in communication with and mounted within a supportplate 490. The support plate 490 may maneuver about the injector frame410. The support plate 490 may be made out of stainless steel, othertypes of steel, plastics, or other materials. The support plate 490 maybe fixedly attached to the injector head 420. The support plate 490 mayhave a number of guide wheels 500 positioned thereon such that thesupport plate 490 can move in the vertical direction within the injectorframe 410. A return spring 520 also may be attached to the support plateand the injector frame 410. A limit switch 530 may be positioned aboutthe cam 460 such that its rotation may not exceed a certain amount.

The injector head 420 thus may maneuver up and down in the verticaldirection via the cam system 440. Specifically, the drive motor 450 mayrotate the eccentric cam 460 via the gear system 470. As the eccentriccam 460 rotates with an ever-increasing radius, the idler wheel 480pushes the support plate 490 downward such that the injector head 420comes in contact with a pod cartridge 210. The eccentric cam 460 maylower the injector head 420 by about 6.4 to about 12.7 millimeters(about one-quarter to about one-half inches). Once the injector head 420comes into contact with the pod cartridge 210, the eccentric cam 460 maycontinue to rotate and increases the pressure on the pod cartridge 210until the cam 460 reaches the limit switch 530. The injector head 420may engage the pod cartridge 210 with a downward force of about 136 to160 kilograms (about 300 to 350 pounds). The sealing ring 430 thus mayform a substantially airtight and water tight seal about the podcartridge 210. The drive motor 450 may hold the cam 460 in place for apredetermined amount of time. The cam system 440 may then be reversedsuch that the injector head 420 returns to its original position.

Once the injection nozzle 200 of the injector head 420 is in contactwith the pod cartridge 210, the hot, high pressure water may flow fromthe heat exchanger 150 into the injector head 420. The water may be atabout 82 to about 93 degrees Celsius (about 180 to about 200 degreesFahrenheit). The incoming water flow may be pressurized at about 11 toabout 14 kilograms per square centimeter (about 160 to 200 pounds persquare inch). The pressure of the water passing through the podcartridge 210 may be about 1.4 to about 14 kilograms per squarecentimeter (about 20 to about 200 pounds per square inch). The pressureof the water flowing through the pod cartridge 210 may vary with thenature of the beverage.

As is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pod cartridges 210 may be filled withdifferent types of grinds, leaves, or other types of a brewing material550. In the case of a single serving sized espresso beverage of aboutthirty (30) milliliters, about six (6) to about eight (8) grams ofespresso grinds may be placed in the pod cartridge 210. Likewise, aboutsix (6) to about (8) grams of coffee grinds may be added to the podcartridge 210 to produce about a 240 milliliter (about eight (8) ounce)cup of coffee. About three (3) to about five (5) grams of tealeaves maybe added to the pod cartridge 210 in order to make about a 150milliliter (about five (5) ounce) cup of tea.

The brewing material 550 may be positioned within one or more layers offilter paper 560. The filter paper 560 may be standard filter paper usedto collect the brewing material 550 while allowing the beverage to passtherethrough. The pod cartridge may have an upper filter layer 570 and alower filter layer 580. The brewing material 550 itself may bepositioned directly between the upper and lower filter layers 570, 580.Alternatively, the brewing material 550 may be placed within a foilenvelope 590. The foil envelope 590 may serve to keep the brewingmaterial 550 therein fresh and out of contact with the ambient air.Alternatively, the entire pod cartridge 210 may be placed within a foilenvelope, either individually or as a group, until the pod 210 is readyfor use.

FIGS. 8-12 show an embodiment of the pod cartridge 210 that may be usedwith the beverage dispenser system 100 or in other types of beveragesystems. The pod cartridge 210 may be substantially in the shape of acup 600. The cup 600 may be made out of a conventional thermoplasticsuch as polystyrene, polyethylene, or polypropylene. Alternatively,stainless steel or other types of substantially non-corrosive materialsalso may be used. The cup 600 may be substantially rigid.

The cup 600 may include a substantially circular sidewall 610 and asubstantially flat base 620. The sidewall 610 and the base 620 of thecup 600 may be molded and form a unitary element or a separate sidewall610 and a separate base 620 may be fixedly attached to each other. Thesidewall 610 and the base 620, as well as the cup 600 as a whole, mayhave any convenient diameter so as to accommodate the pod apertures 330of the turret plate 320 of the turret assembly 310 and the injector head420 of the injector assembly 400. Alternatively, the sidewall 610 andthe base 620 of the cup 600 may have any convenient diameter so as toaccommodate other any type of beverage dispenser system 100.

The sidewall 610 of the cup 600 may have any convenient depth so as toaccommodate an appropriate amount of the brewing material 550. In thisembodiment, the sidewall 610 may have an inside diameter of about 3.9centimeters (about 1.535 inches), an outside diameter of about 4.03centimeters (about 1.586 inches) and a wall thickness of about 1.295millimeters (about 0.051 inches). The sidewall 610 also may have a depthof about 2.43 centimeters (about 0.955 inches) with the base 620 havingan additional depth of about 0.318 centimeter (about 0.125 inches). Sucha configuration of the sidewall 610 and the base 620 of the cup 600 mayhold about six (6) to about sixteen (16) grams of the brewing material550, depending upon the size of the desired beverage, i.e., eight (8),twelve (12), or sixteen (16) ounces. These dimensions are for purposesof example only. The sidewall 610 and the base 620 of the cup 600 maytake any desired or convenient size or shape. For example, the sidewall610 may be straight, tapered, stepped, or curved if desired.

The base 620 also may include a bottom floor 630. The bottom floor 630may include a number of apertures 640 formed therein. The apertures 640may extend through the width of the floor 630. In this embodiment, theapertures 640 may be largely circular in shape with a diameter of about1.6 millimeters (about 0.063 inches). Any desired shape or size,however, may be used. In this embodiment, about 54 apertures 640 areused herein, although any number may be used. The base 620 also mayinclude a number of support ribs 650 supporting the floor 630. An innercircular rib 660, an outer circular rib 670, and a number of radial ribs680 may be used. Any design or number of ribs 660 may be used. In thisembodiment, the ribs 650 may have a depth of about 2.54 millimeters(about 0.1 inch) and the floor 630 may have a depth of about 1.78millimeters (about 0.07 inches), although any desired thickness may beused.

The sidewall 610 of the cup 600 also may include an upper lip 700. Theupper lip 700 may include a substantially flat top portion 710 and adownwardly angled flange 720 extending from the top portion 710. Theflange 720 may extend downwardly so as to form a pocket 730 with thesidewall 610. The top of the pocket 730 may form a curved inner radius735. As is shown in FIG. 13, the sidewall 610 may or may not include anouter step 740 within the pocket 730.

In this embodiment and by way of example only, the flat top portion 710of the upper lip 700 may have width of about 2.54 millimeters (about0.01 inch) extending in the horizontal direction. The flange 720 mayhave the length of about 2.2 millimeters (about 0.087 inch). The flange720 and the pocket 730 of the lip 700 are sized to accommodate the sizeof the pod apertures 330. Specifically, the lip 700 is configured toaccommodate the size of the pod apertures 330 and the expected force ofthe injector head 420 while using as little material as possible.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of the cup 600. In thisembodiment, the sidewall 610 of the cup 600 may include a number ofover-cuts 760 formed therein. In this embodiment, a first over-cut 770and a second over-cut 780 may be used. Any number of over-cuts 760,however, may be used. The over-cuts 760 may be continuous around theinner circumference of the side wall 610 or the over-cuts 760 may beintermittent. The over-cut 760 may cooperate with a lid 790. The lid 790may have edges 800 that are substantially wedge shaped to fit and remainwithin the over-cut 760. The use of the wedge shaped edge 800 ensuresthat the lid 790 remains in place. The edges 800 may be continuous orintermittent so as to mate with the over-cut 760. The lid 790 preferablyis bowed inward or largely concave in shape.

The lid 790 may be placed in the first or second over cut 770, 780depending upon the amount of brewing material 550 that is desired to beplaced within the cup 600. The lid 790 is bowed downward so as to tampthe brewing material 550 down under pressure and to keep the brewingmaterial 550 therein from shifting. The lid 790 may compact the brewingmaterial 550 with at least about nine (9) kilograms of compressive force(about twenty (20) pounds of force). The lid 790 also may have a numberof apertures 810 therein so as to permit water from the injector head420 to pass therethrough. Depending on the nature of the injector head420, the use of the lid 790 may not be necessary. Instead, a foilwrapper or any other covering may be used. Likewise, the over-cuts 760also may be eliminated or modified as desired.

FIGS. 16-19 show a further embodiment of the present invention, a spikedpod 850. The spiked pod 850 may use the cup 600, the side wall 610, thebase 620, the lip 700, and the elements thereof as described above withthe pod cartridge 210. The spiked pod 850 also may include a number ofspikes 860 positioned along the floor 630 of the base 620. The spikes860 may serve to puncture a package for the brewing material 550 as willbe described in more detail below. In this embodiment, about eighteen(18) spikes 860 may be used. Any desired number of spikes, however, 860may be used. The spikes 860 may be aligned along the radial ribs 680 ofthe base 620 or elsewhere along the floor 630.

As is shown in, for example, FIG. 19, the spikes 860 may include three(3) triangular blades 870 surrounding a base 880. The tips of the blades870 may form a puncture area 890. The blades 860 may have any desiredshape. The blades 870 may have a height of about 6.35 millimeters (about0.25 inch) and the base 880 may have a height of about 3.8 millimeters(about 0.15 inches) such that the puncture area 890 may be about 2.54millimeters (about 0.1 inches) in length above the base 880. Any desiredsize, however, may be used.

In use, the lower layer 580 of filter paper may be placed with the cup600 of the pod cartridge 210. The lower layer 580 may be positionedalong the floor 630 of the base 620. An amount of the brewing material550 then may be positioned therein. The upper layer 570 of the filterpaper then may be placed on the brewing material 550 if desired. The lid790 then may be placed within the cup 600 so as to tap down the brewingmaterial 550. Once the lid 790 has compacted the brewing material 550,the edge 800 of the lid 790 is positioned within the appropriateover-cut 760 within the side wall 610 of the cup 600. The pod 210 thenmay be sealed or otherwise shipped for use with the beverage dispensersystem 100 or otherwise.

The pod 210 may be positioned within one of the pod apertures 330 in theturret assembly 310. Specifically, the outer edge of the pod aperture330 aligns with the flange 720 of the lip 700 of the cup 600. A pod orother device with a convention square lip would extend too far out ofthe pod aperture 330 to function with the injection head 420 of theinjector assembly 310. The injector head 420 then may be positionedabout the pod 210. The sealing ring 630 of the injector head 420 mayseal about the top portion 710 of the lip 700 of the cup 600. The use ofa rounded lip or a lip with a non-flat shape may cause damage to thesealing ring 430 given the amount of pressure involved, i.e., asdescribed above, the injector head 420 may engage the pod cartridge 210with a downward force of about 136 to about 160 kilograms of force(about 300 to about 350 pounds) and the incoming water flow may bepressurized at about eleven (11) to about fourteen (14) kilograms persquare centimeter (about 160 to 200 pounds per square inch (psi)). Thepressure of the water flowing through pod cartridge 210 may vary withthe nature of the brewing material 550 from about 1.4 to about 14kilograms per square centimeter (about twenty (20) to about 200 poundsper square inch).

The water passing through the injection head 420 may spread out over thelid 790 and the apertures 810 thereof and into the brewing material 550.The brewed beverage may then pass through the apertures 640 in the base620 of the cup 600.

The lip 700 as well as the base 620 of the cup 600 are designed to useas little material as possible while being able to withstand the waterpressures described above with out deformation. The cup 600 as a wholemay have about five (5) to about eight (8) grams of plastic materialtherein when using, for example, polypropylene homopolymer. Theconfiguration of the lip 700 may save about 0.4 to about 0.6 grams orabout ten percent (10%) of the plastic required.

In the embodiment of the spiked pod 850, the brewing material 550 may bepositioned within the foil envelope 590. At least the lower filter layer580 also may be placed within the cup 600. The injection nozzle 200 maypenetrate the foil envelope 590 or water may otherwise flow into the cup600 with the water pressure described above. This water pressure mayforce both the lower filer layer 580 and the foil envelope 590 againstthe spikes 860 of the spiked pod 850. This pressure may allow thesespikes 860 to penetrate both the lower filter area 580 and the foilenvelop 590. The punctures caused by the spikes 860 may allow the brewedbeverage to pass therethrough while substantially maintaining theremaining brewing material 550 therein. The spikes 860 may providesubstantially uniform penetration of the foil envelope 590. The brewingmaterial 590 also may be contained within other types of structures thatmay be penetrated by the spikes 860.

It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to the preferredembodiments of the present invention and that numerous changes andmodifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the following claims and theequivalents thereof.

1. A container for holding ground coffee or tealeaves, comprising: abody; and a lip extending from said body; said lip comprising a topsubstantially flat surface; and a width of no more than about 2.6millimeters (about 0.1 inch).
 2. The container of claim 1, furthercomprising polystyrene, polyethylene, or polypropylene.
 3. The containerof claim 1, wherein said body comprises a sidewall and a base.
 4. Thecontainer of claim 3, wherein said base comprises a plurality ofapertures therein.
 5. The container of claim 3, wherein said basecomprises a plurality of support ribs thereon.
 6. The container of claim3, wherein said base comprises a plurality of spikes thereon.
 7. Thecontainer of claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of spikes comprisesa base surrounded by a plurality of blades.
 8. The container of claim 1,wherein said lip comprises a flange extending from said flat surface. 9.The container of claim 8, wherein said flange extends downwardly at anangle so as to form a pocket with said body.
 10. The container of claim9, wherein said pocket comprises an upper curved radius.
 11. Thecontainer of claim 1, further comprising a lid to be positioned withinsaid body.
 12. The container of claim 11, wherein said lid comprises aconcave shape.
 13. The container of claim 11, wherein said lid comprisesa plurality of apertures therein.
 14. The container of claim 11, whereinsaid body comprises one or more over-cuts therein for said lid.
 15. Thecontainer of claim 1, further comprising one or more layers of filterpaper positioned within said body.
 16. The container of claim 1, furthercomprising a foil envelope for holding the ground coffee or thetealeaves.
 17. A container for holding ground coffee or tealeaves,comprising: a base; said base comprising a plurality of aperturestherein; a circular sidewall extending from said base; and a lipextending from said sidewall; said lip comprising a top substantiallyflat surface; and a flange extending downwardly from said flat surface.18. The container of claim 17, wherein said flange comprises a width ofno more than about 2.6 millimeters (about 0.1 inch).
 19. The containerof claim 17, wherein said base comprises a plurality of spikes thereon.20. A dispenser for brewing a beverage from a beverage material,comprising: a pod with the beverage material therein; said podcomprising a lip extending from a body; a pod holder; said pod holderadapted to receive said pod therein and support solely said lip of saidpod; and an injection head; said injection head comprising about 136 to160 kilograms (about 300 to 350 pounds) of force applied to said lip ofsaid pod.
 21. The dispenser of claim 20, further comprising a pluralityof pods.
 22. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said pod comprises aboutfive (5) to about eight (8) grams of a plastic material.
 23. Thedispenser of claim 20, further comprising a turret assembly such thatsaid turret assembly comprises said pod holder.
 24. The dispenser ofclaim 20, further comprising an injector assembly such that saidinjector assembly comprises said injection head.
 25. The dispenser ofclaim 24, wherein said injector assembly comprises a drive mechanism soas to maneuver said injection head.
 26. The dispenser of claim 25,wherein said drive mechanism maneuvers said injection head about 6.4 toabout 12.7 millimeters (about one-quarter to about one-half inches) in asubstantially vertical direction.
 27. The dispenser of claim 20, whereinsaid lip comprises a substantially flat top surface and said injectionhead comprises a sealing ring sized to accommodate said flat topsurface.
 28. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said injection headprovides water pressurized at about 1.4 to 14 kilograms per squarecentimeter (about 20 to about 200 pounds per square inch) to said pod.29. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said body comprises a pluralityof spikes therein.
 30. A method for preparing a beverage from a beveragematerial, comprising: placing the beverage material within a container;tamping the beverage material down with a lid of said container;positioning said container within a holder; and injecting said containerwith water pressurized water at about 1.4 to 14 kilograms per squarecentimeter (about 20 to about 200 pounds per square inch).
 31. Thedispenser of claim 20, wherein said pod comprises a rigid pod.
 32. Themethod of claim 30, wherein said container comprises a lip extendingtherefrom and wherein said positioning step comprises supporting saidcontainer solely by said lip.
 33. An apparatus for mixing a material,comprising: a pod with the material therein; said pod comprising a lipextending from a body; a pod holder, said pod holder adapted to receivesaid pod therein and support solely said lip of said pod; and aninjection head positioned about said pod holder.
 34. The apparatus ofclaim 33, wherein said injection head comprises water pressurized atabout 1.4 to 14 kilograms per square centimeter (about 20 to about 200pounds per square inch).
 35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein saidinjection head comprises about 136 to 160 kilograms (about 300 to 350pounds) of force applied to said lip of said pod
 36. The apparatus ofclaim 33, further comprising a plurality of pods.
 37. The apparatus ofclaim 33, wherein said pod comprises a rigid pod.